Hot, Sexy & Bad

by Angelo, Judy, et al.

  Apparently, a lot of the staff who worked that Christmas Eve wanted to work it since they either had very little family activity going on, or they were alone. Dane told Olivia he always made sure that holiday schedules were picked equitably because family was so important to him. He’d never had the chance to know his real father growing up so the last thing he wanted to do was to take a working parent away from his or her child over the holidays, especially when tons of other staff willingly volunteered to hang out over the holidays since the pay was not only great at double time but they had tons of fun with their co-workers. Dane always stressed to work hard but have fun as his motto for his employees. Happy employees were productive employees.

  Olivia admired his philosophy on life and at work. She was so tempted to ask him about his own family life but luckily he made it clear that he wasn’t in a relationship at the moment or he wouldn’t be taking her to dinner. How noble of him, she thought. Not a lot of hot looking guys think that way. Not that she was stereotyping, of course.

  They enjoyed Mango Prawns for starters, peeled North Atlantic prawns served on a bed of mango and dressed with a Marie Rose sauce and sprinkled with delicious paprika. Then they ate something that she could not pronounce but it consisted of mushrooms cooked in garlic butter and gorgonzola cheese. For their main course they devoured Roasted Turkey Breast. A succulent turkey breast with sage and onion stuffing served with tasty cranberry sauce and gravy and oven baked salmon with ginger served with white wine, cream and dill sauce.

  Olivia’s mood enhanced significantly. There was nothing better than a delicious hearty meal in a plush restaurant with good company and mellow holiday music playing over the speakers. Nat King Cole’s classic Christmas song, Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire, played over the intercom while the waiter brought their dessert, a delicious Christmas pudding and Jamaican Fruit Cake served with whipped cream.

  “This is beautiful, Dane. Thank you so much, for everything,” Olivia said, her heartfelt words spoke volumes. She really wanted to thank him for helping her to not have the worst night of her life. Ever. And the food? The way to a woman’s heart was certainly through her stomach. She couldn’t remember the last time she sat down and consumed such a delicious hearty meal that felt homemade. The entrees melted on her tongue. Talk about expensive suppers. So this was how the wealthy lived?

  “Not half as beautiful as you are, Olivia.” Dane’s smooth, mellow words warmed her heart and sent tingles of delight coursing through her blood. Was he flirting with her or just trying to make her feel better after her horrible night at the hotel?

  “Thank you,” she murmured but she really wanted to say, you’re sexy and hot as hell, too! But Olivia resisted the temptation. Her gaze dropped to his full, sexy, kissable lips. They were curved so sensuously. This man oozed sexuality and power in every way. It was surreal. She’d never met a man before who had such an instant electrical effect on her.

  “So, how long have you worked for the Belmont Hotels & Resorts?” she asked, desperately wanting to avoid any misunderstanding. The last thing she needed was to be hurt again. Truth be told, Dane was sinfully sexy but she knew very little about him except he was the GM of this fine, luxury hotel and probably single—though he could still be with someone for all she knew.

  “Too long,” he replied, as if he wanted to get off the subject. “But long enough to know that the last thing you want to do, Olivia, is give up your big day.” His stunning blue eyes locked on hers and she felt heat travel across the table. Her heart was flip-flopping in her chest again.

  Stop it, Olivia! He’s only trying to be nice. He doesn’t want you.

  Now if only her body could be in sync with her thoughts. Why on earth was she reacting to this heartthrob? Unbelievable! This was so not like her. At all.

  “I know,” she whispered, sliding her fingers over her glass of wine. She sighed heavily. “Thank you for being there for me. But…I don’t think this will work.”

  “And why not?” Dane leaned back in the plush leather seat of their intimate booth. A lavender candle flickered on the table bringing a dim, romantic ambiance to their experience at the restaurant.

  “Because,” she continued, her heart pumping hard and fast in her chest. “Well, because I have over three hundred guests who will be at the chapel in the morning expecting me to walk down the aisle with my step-dad and walk back up with Jack. And well, as you are aware, Jack won’t be in attendance tomorrow.”

  Dane bit down on his lip. Olivia thought she caught a flicker of anger flare in his dramatically dark blue eyes. Was that anger or annoyance?

  “Don’t let that jerk do that to you, Olivia. Promise me.” His voice was authoritative, commanding. She thought she espied a muscle twitch in his jaw. This man was hot but he was also one not to be reckoned with.

  “But I—”

  “Guys like that don’t deserve your agony. Pain is a powerful emotion. Don’t let Jack be the cause of that inside you.”

  “I know, Dane, but—”

  “But nothing. Don’t ever let the stupid actions of others mess up your inner peace and happiness. You deserve better. You need to walk down that aisle and spend time with your family and friends who’ve been there for you. They came because they want to see you happy, Olivia. Don’t cancel because Jack was too cowardly to make you an honest woman the way you deserve to be.”

  Olivia was gob-smacked. She was speechless and didn’t know how to respond to Dane’s gallant support of her. “But, Dane, you don’t even know me.” Even though they’d just spent the last few hours talking about all sorts of personal things and finding out what makes them tick and push forward.

  “But I want to get to know you better. Will you let me?”

  Heat rushed through Olivia’s blood and she even felt a tingle in an area she shouldn’t be feeling any pleasurable sensations in presently.

  “Dane, I…” she bit down on her lip, dazed and torn. “Yes, I do want to get to know you better. But everything is happening so fast.”

  “I understand. That’s okay. We can take it slow.”

  “How do I know you’re not a heartbreaker, too?”

  “You don’t. You can’t know. All you can know is how you feel. Life is about taking chances and living. Don’t let that jackwad's leaving you spoil you from seeking happiness elsewhere, Olivia. You’ll be letting him hurt you twice. You are so beautiful, Olivia, and even though we’ve just spent a few hours talking and getting to know each other, I’ve felt more connected to you than I have with girls I’ve dated for years. There’s a connection I can’t explain. Have you ever met a stranger on a bus or in a park walking the dog and you draw into a conversation that sparks something?”

  “Yes, I have actually. Plenty of times.”

  “Right. How do you think friendships begin?”

  Olivia’s heart sank to her knees. Right. Friendship. Of course, he could mean nothing else. What on earth was she thinking? That he’d fallen in love with a jilted bride within hours of meeting her? Hell, he probably just felt sorry for her in the same way he would if he’d seen an abandoned kitten on the road.

  It was as if he could read her mind because he said something else that reached her.

  “And friendships can turn into something more,” he said in a mellow tone, his deep, rich voice soothing her soul.

  She felt heat rush to her cheeks and hoped he didn't see her blush.

  “So, let’s discuss the new and revised program for tomorrow.”

  Olivia smiled. They spent the next few minutes briefly going over what she should do to make it her day. Olivia couldn’t believe Dane’s suggestions.

  Later, they both realized it was best to leave since it was in the wee hours of the morning.

  “You need to get some beauty sleep, Ms. McAlister.”

  “I will,” she assured. Would she?

  They turned to walk out of the empty restaurant with the music fading in the background. Olivia thought that was so sweet of the sta
ff to keep the ambiance going for their last customer even though they were officially closed.

  As they reached the intricately etched glass doors, Olivia watched as the snow fell furiously against the dark backdrop of Christmas Eve night. It was mesmerizing. Her eyes almost wept over the belief Christmas was supposed to be fun. But she didn’t see the mistletoe hanging over the door.

  “Well…” Dane had a wicked grin on his lips. He wasn’t about to let her off the hook, was he?

  Olivia's heart fluttered in her chest and a million tiny butterflies exploded in her belly. Dane held her gently in front of him and lowered his head down to hers. Olivia thought she was going to pass out. Her knees were weak and the intoxicating scent of his sweet cologne sent shivers down her spine.

  Was he really going to kiss her?

  Was she going to be kissed by this hot new friend on Christmas Eve? The eve of what would have been her wedding day.

  His lips hadn’t even touched hers yet but silently she was quivering, begging him to take her in every way. To feel the soft tremble of his lips on hers.

  “You’re a beautiful girl, Olivia,” he reiterated in a low moan as he stroked her chin and traced the outline of her jaw with his soft, slender fingers. Oh, God! The electricity of his sensual touch raced through her. She was going to die if he didn’t embrace her immediately. She needed him to be with her—like yesterday.

  Slowly and gently Dane pressed his soft, warm lips to hers and parted her lips with his moist tongue sending shock waves of erotic pleasure through her veins. He French kissed her passionately under the mistletoe, leaving her breathless, hungry for more. But he’d pulled away, leaving her lips tingling, buzzing uncontrollably.

  Holy cow!

  No one had ever kissed her like that before!

  What was he? A master kisser? This man could bring a woman to the brink of orgasm with his salacious lips.

  This man could kiss!

  Olivia buzzed thinking about how it would feel if he had his hands over her body—and what he would feel like on top of her. Within her!

  She was dazed.

  A wicked grin of amusement touched the corner of his sweet lips.

  “Merry Christmas, Olivia!”

  And it was a very merry Christmas, wasn’t it?

  Dane pulled her closer and hugged her tightly. She felt the warm energy from his body transferring to hers.

  But the mood was killed in seconds when she’d heard the clicking of cameras outside the window!

  “What the—?” Dane pulled away, his tone morphed into one of darkness. Anger seethed through him!

  “What is it?” Olivia belted out, stunned.

  “Paparazzi!”

  “Paparazzi? What? Here? Us? Why?” Olivia watched in horror as Dane swung the door open with such a full force, the photographers scattered swiftly. He held up his chin, his jaw was clenched and anger flickered in his dark blue eyes. His lips were pressed into a thin, hard line.

  “What was that all about, Dane? Why were they taking pictures of us?”

  Dane reached for Olivia’s arm. “Come on, let’s go back to the hotel. There’s something I didn’t tell you that I think you should know.”

  Olivia’s mind swirled with confusion. This could not be happening. Twice in a twenty-four hour period? She was screwed by a hot looking guy.

  This was not happening. Hell no!

  Great! By the morning this snapshot of them kissing, on what should have been hours before her wedding, would be splayed all across the Internet.

  Olivia walked closely with Dane to the Bentley parked outside the restaurant. Once safely inside, they drove to the hotel.

  This night could not possibly get any worse.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The next morning, everything was a blur.

  Olivia could not believe what had happened last night. Just thinking about it shattered her. What if she ended up on the Internet gossip sites making out with the hotel manager on the eve before her wedding? The question was a stab to her heart. A deep sense of inadequacy gnawed away at her confidence. She really knew how to land herself in a pickle at the worst of times, didn’t she?

  Luckily, her sister Bria was too busy being excited when she dropped by Olivia's suite that morning. Olivia didn’t want Bria to know what had happened with Jack last night but told Bria that there was going to be a change to the ceremony. Bria was one of her bridesmaids.

  “You look so out of it, hon,” Macy, her cousin and maid of honor, commented while assisting her by zipping up the back of her silk Vera Wang gown. Macy had previously fluffed Olivia’s gown and helped her with applying her makeup carefully earlier. But for some reason Olivia felt as if she was a fraud. There wasn’t going to be a wedding so why was she still going through this charade?

  “Yeah, I’m just a little tired,” she whispered as her inner torment consumed her. The truth was she could not sleep for the rest of the night after Dane dropped her back at the hotel. She was still buzzed about the hot, passionate lip locking with Dane Romano! And then she was still stunned about the paparazzi capturing it all with their zoom lenses.

  What on earth were they doing there?

  Dane promised he would explain but changed his mind when she started to yawn last night. He probably wanted her to get some sleep before her ceremony.

  He was right. Why cancel the "wedding of the century" and break everybody’s hearts? What Dane had in mind sounded so much better than sorry-for-spending-all-your-money-on-gifts-and-expensive-dresses-for-the-occasion-but-Jack-called-it-off.

  One fraction of Olivia still really didn’t want to go through with the wedding after what had transpired but Dane and she had talked it through. He was right. This was her big day. Like hell she was going to let Jack screw her over twice. Three hundred guests were already waiting for her at the chapel next to the hotel. The ballroom was decorated in her favorite winter wonderland theme with bright sparkling snow crystals everywhere and tables draped with the finest Christmas linens. It was an awesome sight. She had taken a peek yesterday to make sure everything was in place. The hotel staff had gone out of their way to make it a special day.

  “Have you spoken to your groom today?” Macy interrupted her thoughts.

  “No. We’ve broken up.”

  Macy’s face turned as white as the snow falling outside.

  “What?” She gaped, her mouth formed a perfect O and her eyebrows knitted together. Fury wasn’t the word to describe her expression. “I knew something was up but…but…”

  “It’s okay, Macy. We’re still going through with the wedding. It’s my…our big day.”

  “But…Olivia…Oh, God! I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t be, Macy,” Olivia said, fixing her gown as if nothing out of the ordinary was just spoken. “He did me a favor really. What was that saying from the world’s smartest woman? It’s better to be rejected than used because they’ll both amount to the same thing in the end but being used takes longer.”

  “Oh, Olivia!” Macy was still choked up. It was Olivia’s turn to console her now. She rubbed her cousin’s shoulder and told her not to worry.

  “I’m okay. Really. I mean, I was heartbroken yesterday but a good friend of mine helped me through the night. Besides, Jack got what he wanted, right? He just graduated from law school and passed the bar and got in with the hottest firm in the city. So who needs me? He no longer needs me to do his research or pay off his bills and debts and support him through college so he’s free to go.” Olivia spoke the words but her heart clenched in response. She vowed not to speak of Jack again after this day.

  “Merry Christmas, cuz.” Olivia held Macy’s arms, pulled her closer and gave her a huge bear hug. “It’s family time today. A celebration of love. Our love for each other, friends and family alike.”

  Olivia thought she may go crazy out of her mind. What she was about to do at the chapel both thrilled and terrified her at the same time.

  I must do this!

  I wil
l not be any old jilted bride.

  But to her chagrin, she had a lot more on her mind, such as would Dane ever kiss her again? Would she be pleasured by the soft erotic touch of his lips and his muscular body over hers?

  Stop it, Olivia!

  Focus!

  And focus, she would. On her mission to regain her day.

  It was bad enough that Christmas Day memories were tainted with the horrific death of her mother on the morning of December 25, but now this? Being jilted on her Christmas Day wedding, too? No way was she going to let that happen. Even if it killed her.

  The chapel looked festive and the band played Here and Now by Luther Vandross. She should have changed the song. How could she bear to listen to "Here and now I promise to love faithfully…" while walking down the aisle? Alone. She had already planned to walk down the aisle alone to the altar but hadn’t planned on walking back from the altar alone, too.

  A commotion of infectious whispers zoomed about the atmosphere. “Where’s the groom?” “Is she going to marry herself?” “Is she crazy?” Olivia could hear the frantic chattering of the guests. The pastor was at the altar waiting for her arrival, while Dane was near the front. God, she hoped Dane’s plan to make her day a good one worked—or else.

  Bria walked behind Olivia holding her long silk train. Nothing else about the program would change. Nothing.